H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

I've searched this board until I'm blue in the face. Either the search engine is fouled up- or I'm not getting any hits. Anyway, I can't find anything about this plane.

What do you guys that have this plane think about it? How is the quality? Are there any bad habits about the flight characteristics? How much does the plane weigh? What engine? What servos?

I'm talking about the 1/4 scale plane here. Not the 33% plane.

Thanks

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

I've been very happy with mine. It is powered with an OS160 and Hitec digitals on all controls. All up weight is 12-1/2 lbs. The overall quality was very nice ( for an ARF). Mine was the solid white version which I trimmed out myself................I don't understand why you have been unable to locate any info on this plane as there have been numerous threads written on it..............jerry

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Mine has a Saito 150, and is simply wonderful. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Can't understand why you're coming up zippo on the search. Too bad the old RCO archives are gone. Back about a year ago, when Horizon began liquidating their remaining stock of this model at $200 a pop, there was a flurry of threads that examined every aspect of this excellent ARF.

After reading those threads, I got one of the last ones, and have never regretted it.

One assumes you have the opportunity to buy one. If it is an un-built kit, you should determine what vintage. It went through several "batches", each successive one having some improvements. The first couple of production runs had some areas that need to be addressed; such as weak firewalls and gear mounts.

Of all the various (over 30) model planes I've owned, the only one that has a wider flight envelope than this one is the SIG Somethin' Extra. The H9 25% CAP can be quite docile, or as aggressive as you can handle, depending upon how you set it up. It is an honest model with no bad habits that I can find.

Looks good, too...

Steve

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Hey, thanks for the response guys. I did a new search tonight and I found about 15-20 threads about this plane. Search function wasn't working well for me last night.

I am going to buy this plane LNIB and a NIB Moki 135 for $200 from a buddy at the LHS. It's the plain white version. He joined the winghalves and then got into Heli's, so he's selling to me. He didn't touch the plane, other than to join the wing halves.

I don't think the Moki 135 will fly this plane at this altitude. I want to do 3D with the plane, and I know the engine will not perform to the level at which I intend to try and fly the plane. I'm sure it would be great for IMACor Sunday flying, but not for 3D.

I have a NIB MDS 148 that I may put on the plane. I will probably sell the Moki 135 and use the money to buy some servos for the plane.

An MDS 2.18 would be REALLY nice at this altitude, but the weight is kinda high. But, from what I read after my search, the plane is tail heavy to start, so the big MDS 2.18 might be just the motor for good balance. Maybe then I might get away with a few servos in the tail and balance good. Who knows.

I'm kinda torn about which servos to buy. I'll probably get Hitec servos. So far, I've looked at the following servos:

5625 MG HS Digital 93oz and .13 sec at 6Volt --about $55
5645 MG HT Digital 133oz and .18sec at 6Volt--about $55
925 MG HS Coreless 103oz and .08sec at 6Volt--about $75
945 MG HT Coreless 153oz and .12sec at 6Volt--about $75
625 MG HS 94oz and .13sec at 6Volt--about $40
645 MG HT 133oz and .18sec at 6Volt--about $40

JR Servos:

4735 Coreless HS 90oz and .15sec at ???volt--exactly $85.00
4721 Coreless HT 120oz and .22sec at ???volt--exactly $85.00
8411 Digital 155oz-rediculously fast--no less than $115.00

I'm not into paying the premium money for the JR servos. I just threw it out there as a comparison.

Does anyone have any opinions about what kind of servos I'll need for this bird. Do I need the rediculously high torque servos? I'm leaning towards the Hitec Digital servos. What are you guys using for servos in this plane?

BTW; I think I got one of the last planes of this run. It was a clearence model, just before they were discontinued. Anything to be concerned about this being later in the production run? I read that a few guys thought the gear was weak. Any one have any comments about the gear?

All in all: is this ARF well constructed? I bought one of the H9 Edge 540 when they first arrived on the market. I never had a wing failure, but it was a POS ARF in my opinion. The wing saddle needed sanding before it would fit, and the elevator incidence was WAAAAY off. And the thing was a heavy pig. It was supposed to weigh in at 11.5-12 pounds; and mine was well over 12 pounds. I wasn't real impressed with the H9 quality at the time, so I'm a bit uneasy about this Cap 232.

I don't want to get into a debate about the quality of the Edge 540- I'm just a little wishy washy about the quality of this Cap. Any opinions- both good and bad-would be appreciated.

This plane is going to cost a lot of money- even though I'm getting a screaming deal on it. I really want to hear what you guys thought of this plane. Did you make any mods to the plane during construction? What were those mods? If you had it too do again- would you make the same mods? Different mods?

Thanks

H9 Cap
 

I got one last year for Christmas and put a Fox 2.4 on the nose. I have Hitec 605mg on the wings and 645mg on the rudder and elevators. I love this plane. It is great with a gasser. I was able to shave a lot of weight off of it. It is 13.5 lbs loaded. It will hover easily at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle. I have construction pictures and a video on my web site. Check them out. www.ros********.com Good luck.

Finnz

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Finnz:

I saw your video. I'm using a dial-up modem- so its not a smooth and flowing video- but I definetely get the point.

That is one sweet Cap. I like it. I like it ALOT!!!!

Unless anyone just REALLY thinks its a bad idea- I think I'll go with the MDS 2.18 for power.

Thanks

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

RCPilet, I have two of these planes from the last runs. One has a Saito 1.80, the other has an MVVS 1.60 Gasser. Both planes were built stock, sort of (dual elevator servos, last of extra gluing), and weight 12.4 pounds without fuel. Both planes have more flights then I can count, fly flawlessly and are holding up very well. make sure you put extra epoxy around the wing servo trays and I would suggest slopping 30 minute epoxy everywhere you can reach around the landing gear area in the fuselage. You also need to reinforce the plate that the wing dowels go into. This plane has to be one of the alltime great deals at their $200 closeout price. I keep wishing one of these planes would crash or fall apart so I can build something else.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Pretty cool video finnz!

I have on on the bench finishing it up with a MVVS 1.6 gasser in it. Man, there's nothing like that sound and the fact that you fly all day for a buck!

Thanks!

Hmm..
 

My brothers 232 has a Moki 2.1.... Unlimited verticle! He has an 8103 in it...

<<<

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Thanks for checking it out. I would suggest saving the file so it would play better. Right click on the file and then Save Target As. Anyway thanks. You will not be unhappy with this plane. I had a H9 Edge with a BME 50 and I like the Cap better. Have fun.

Finnz

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

All this talk about thirsty glow engines has got me looking into gas engines.

I looked at the ZDZ 40cc and the BME 44cc. The ZDZ is just a bit cheaper, but it's almost a pound heavier. ZDZ is running a "Sportsmans Special" right now. Its the 40cc engine with a muffler and all required ignition components for $430 or $475- depending on what muffler you want.

ZDZ has the 44 Twin for $540 with mufflers. Thats pretty cheap for a gasser.

After seeing Finnz's video- I'm not too sure about a glow engine for this plane. Gas can be done- Finnz showed us that.

The MDS 2.18 is gonna suck down a lot of glow fuel: and at $12.00 for a gallon of Omega 5%- its gonna be an expensive plane to fly. I don't think i can even get FAI fuel around here. It would be cheaper than glow fuel- but where to get it?

I've never run a gas engine before. The initial investment is really hard to get over- but feeding a thirsty glow engine will kill me in the long run.

Just did a few calculations. At $12 per gallon for glow fuel- and a price difference bewteen the gas and glow enignes of $180----thats gonna be about 15 gallons of glow fuel to make it all even.

MDS 2.18---$210+$60 for muffler=$270
ZDZ 40cc w/mufflers---$450
Difference is--$180
Glow fuel--$12 per gallon

$180/$12 per gallon=15 gallons

So- after 15 gallons of glow fuel in the MDS 2.18- I'll have spent enough money to have bought the ZDZ 40cc initially.

I'm thinking-- it ain't gonna take too awfull long to burn up 15 gallons of fuel in the MDS. Probably gonna need AT LEAST a 24oz tank in the plane--heavy fuel load. Thats 5.333 flights on a gallon of glow fuel. 75 flights=15 gallons. Minus whatever glow fuel you might use to break the engine in.

I don't know what size tank you'd use for a 40cc gasser- but I'll bet its a whole buch smaller than 24oz.

Decisions- decisions- decisions

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

I use a 16 oz tank with my BME 44 and will fly longer than the Moki with a 24 oz tank. When you calculate usage, you might want to also consider that you fly longer on gas, gas costs less, and you carry less fluid with gas than with glow.

Figure an average of 1 oz per minute, (I think).

Jim!

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

I have a 16 oz. tank and could easily fly for 20 minutes with my Fox 2.4.. I ordered a ZDZ sportsman for my GSP Decathlon. I am still waiting for it. Should be a great engine. I am really happy with the Fox though.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

i have a buddy that flew his for 2 years with JR-517 on all surfaces but the rudder, a satio 180 running 30% nitro and a 17 x 8 menz. He gave the plane hell and she is still running to this day. outstanding point rolls, and blenders, serious lumchavok.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

The cap on the left has a Taurus 2.6 gas with a 22x10 prop and the plane on the right has a MVVS 150 glow.
Great planes!!
Doug

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

I love mine.... YS 140L and Slimline Pitts. JR 4721 on rudder pull-pull, one JR4131s on elevator and 2 for ailerons, JR537 on throttle. Weight is 12.53 pounds with no ballast. It is a solid performer. I have a later model and have had no problems with landing gear or structure. No need to beef up anything. It lands like a *****cat. I have noticed no unannounced snap tendencies at low speeds... (often a complaint about Caps in general). It is a solid and predictable flyer.

It is a keeper...

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Hey moderator... why the bleep on the *****cat? I have one at home..... his name is Frisky!

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

See my gallery for mine. It started as the all white version! Has a Saito 1.80 turning a pro-zinger 18x6. Individual servo on each elevator half.

So far, I have noticed a tendancy to snap out of tight loops at the recommended throws. For me, it happens as the expo catches up. Other than that it is smooth.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

I do not think I would put a 40+cc Gasser in this plane. To much engine. The 1.60 MVVS is just an OK performer with limited vertical. A 30-35cc (2.*) should be perfect in this plane and not overstuff the cowl. My saito is good for 10 minutes tops, but boy does she make the Cap dazzle. On the other hand I can do almost as much with the 1.60; but I can also fly until my fingers get sore and still have gas left in the tank.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

All, a Graupner 23 oz stunt tank fits in the front end without mod. Great setup and more time! If your LHS doesn't carry 'em, hobby lobby does.

Also, I use Hited 625mg on all the surfaces, 425bb on throttle.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

See the movie "From Dusk Till Dawn" then come ask that question again. :)

Rcpilet, I went through the same decision process almost a year ago when these birds were sold off cheap by H9.

I considered th glow route, but quickly decided to go with gas. There's no hobby shop down here; I import glow fuel for myself and my clubmates @ $22-$26 bucks per gallon, depending on nitro content. I burn about three cases a year as is, and didn't want to triple that.

I'd originally decided to use an MVVS 1.60 gasser; these engines are fairly lightweight and pretty powerful once you get the exhaust system tuned properly. After weighing the components I realized that the plane was gong to end up in the 14 lb. range, so I changed my mind.

I'll be using an FPE 2.4. I've upgraded the engine's stock fixed ignition system with a CH auto-advance type - this is supposed to get me an extra 600 RPM with the same prop. A ZDZ 40 would have been a little less expensive and a little more powerful, but the FPE is lighter than the ZDZ so it should work out nicely.

BTW the ZDZ on this plane is afwul close to the Too Much Power threshold. I've talked to one person that built theirs that way... he mentioned that the plane flew quite well at high idle. He also never flew it at WOT for anything other than a short burst on a vertical upline.

OTOH there are folks here with Fox 2.4's and Taurus 2.6's on their planes...

Got the plane today. :)
 

HOT DAWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I picked up the plane today. It was exactly as my buddy said it would be. Only the winghalves were joined. And he installed the ailerons with the CA hinges. Otherwise, it's like a NIB ARF. Everything is still wrapped in plastic.

The Moki 135 is NIB and has a NIP Bisson Pitts muggler for side mounted engine.

Can't believe I got this for $200.

I'll probably cut the CA hinges outta the wing and put in some REAL hinges, like Robarts or something. IMO- CA hinges are good for 40 size planes and below. I just can't trust them on a 1/4 scale aerobat.

I looked over the fuselage pretty good. I'm thinking about stripping the white covering off and putting in some pushrod braces. This is a long airplane, and the pushrods are gonna flex if not properly braced. I would also like to add some glue to a few joints back in the tail. It might seem crazy too a few of you- tearing the covering off a perfectly covered ARF- but, I really don't trust the integrity of the glue joints after seeing the way the front half of the plane was glued together. This is typical of most ARFs. I expected it. And I don't mind covering the fuselage with new Ultracote. It's a good excuse to cover it in something besides plain white.

It would be nice to just mount the servos in the tail, but from what I've read here at RCU, this plane has a tendency to build out on the tail heavy side. I don't want to wind up adding 2 poinds of lead to the firewall for balance. So, the covering will most likely come off to make room for my hands when installing the pushrod braces.

I was up almost all night last night. I was thinking about the gas engine and the glow engine. It seems to me, that this plane is a bit heavy for it's size. I've read weights for this plane from 12-14 pounds. My Sig Cap 231EX is just a tick over 10.5 pounds and its tha same size plane. I live in Denver and our flying field is at 5973' above sea level. We need to land hot and with power to avoid the tip stalls and low speed snaps that cause these planes to auger in on final. The air is thin and requires speed too produce lift. Weighing this already heavy bird down with a gasser at this altitude just doesn't make sense to me. Landing speeds would be in the neighborhood of Mach 2 with the gasser engine and high wing loading.

I have the Moki 135, but I don't think it will produce much more than marginal performance on this plane at this altitude. I'll just sell it and use the money for servos.

I have a NIB MDS 148 that would probably do just fine for IMAC competition. I may try this engine, but I'm thinking this bird will eventually have a Moki 2.10 or the MDS 2.18. We'll have to see how the 148 does first. Plane shoudl be light with the 148.

I read a thread in the fuel forum here at RCU. I'm thinking about homebrewing my own fuel. It sure is cheap. If I can make 2% or 5% glow fuel for around $4-$6 a gallon, I'll be more than happy to feed the big 2c.i. glow engines.

Funny thing about the plane; the elevators are double beveled, but not the ailerons or rudder.

I'm off work this week and part of next week for vacation. I'll probably just sit around and build the plane. Gotta sell the Moki and get servos first.

I could post construction pics and/or finished pics of the plane if you guys are interested in seeing them.

Thanks for the great responses. I know this is a bit of an OLD ARF at this point, and most have moved on to "Bigger and Better things", but I appreciate your responses and enthusiasm with my new project.

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Rcpilet... no need to overkill the engineering in this design. The CA hinges have worked well on mine. Change if you feel compelled, but it is not necessary. Seal the hinge lines is a good idea on any plane this size or larger. Take a look at the inside of the fuse. If the styrofoam at the turtledeck is hollowed out (concave) you likely have the late version. The later version also had some cutouts in the ailerons that can be detected when backlit..or by feel. If this is the case you should have a solidly built plane for you Moki 135. No need to rip off covering to glue joints. Save yourself the grief.

Let is know how it works out for you....

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

There is a number on the tank floor just behind the firewall: #0030080031

The turtledeck is hollowed out and is concaved. The ailerons have lightening holes in them. Must be one of the later models.

I gotta take the CA hinges out. I'd be really hacked off if my plane went in because of a failed CA hinge. Peace of mind and all that- ya know.

I talked to a buddy that sold me a H9 PT-19 1/4 scale. He had same problem with pushrods flexing. He built a "backbone" for the pushrods. He mounted the pushrods to a lightwieght frame and then slipped the entire "backbone" into the rear of the fuselage. With the control rods firmly supported and glued to the "backbone", all he had to do was drizzle some epoxy onto the framework with a long wooden Q-tip and epoxy the "backbone" to the fuselage sides. Problem solved. And, since I'm the proud owner of his handywork, I can just run out to the shop and steal his idea. Adapt the idea to fit my Cap and I don't need to rip covering off to add bracing.

I'm still gonna drizzle some CA down inside the tail section of the fuselage to help out with a few joints that could be better. I found a neat little nozzle for CA bottles thats about 10" long. It will fit WAAAAY down into the rear of the fuselage and reach all those tight little nooks and crannies.

Thanks for the heads up RICEC5

H9 Cap 232 1/4 scale?
 

Rcpilet,

I am also jumping on the tail end of this bandwagon. I bought a solid white one when these things were going for $200. Last month I finally started building it.

Unfortunately, my mindless german shorthair dog got into the garage and decided the cap's tailfeathers looked delicious. Then she sampled the canopy, and finished up with a small side of fuselage.

The silver lining to this cloud is that it forced me to strip the covering off of much of the airframe, and re cover it in a much more imaginative scheme than I originally planned. I had to scratch build one elevator half by laying it out on top of the less damaged one, and then a little ultracote and I am nearly back to square one.

Anybody want to adopt an adorable german shorthair?